Fears eased as The Crown and Anchor in Wiggenhall St Germans has been sold to new owners

Villagers’ fears have been put at ease after a new set of owners took on their prized community pub.

The Wiggenhall and Saddlebow Community Benefit Association (WSCBA) has announced that Alex and Paul Turner, Scott Wiggins and Tom Sinclair have agreed to buy the Crown and Anchor pub in St Germans, and will sign contracts around September 9.

WSCBA was formed last year as, because the pub had changed hands often, residents were worried that it could be developed into something else in the future.

However, it has now put its campaign on hold as its goals so closely aligned with the new owners, whose mission is to keep the pub open for the community and secure a long-term future.

The pub was put on the market last year for offers in the region of £235,000.

The new management team has a background in the pub industry - and they have plenty of ideas about what they want to do.

They aim to provide real ale and food - and intend to upgrade the building over a period of time.

The new team wants to run the pub for the community, and the WSCBA is fully supportive of that.

Steve Welcomme, the chairperson of WSCBA, thanked Harry, who has done a “great job” of “keeping the beer flowing” while a buyer was found.

He said: “Harry, we are all sorry to see you go but wish you all the very best for the future.

“I would also like to express my thanks to all the committee members who have given up so much of their time to this project.

“Also, to Mike Inder at the parish council who has supported us throughout and was instrumental in having the pub designated an Asset of Community Value.

“To Robyn and the other trustees of the village hall for providing a venue for our activities.

“To the management teams at the Blue Bell in Stoke Ferry and Kings Head in Shouldham, who were so supportive, and finally, to all of you who have shown an interest, given up your time, and supported us.”

The WSCBA has raised some money to pay for administrative expenses, but has £173.64 left over.

It proposes to donate the remaining amount to the Play Space project donation, before officially closing down the association.

Admiral Taverns, who owned the pub, previously said: “We are strong believers in the importance of community pubs and our focus is always on helping our licensees to run sustainable pub businesses.

“After careful consideration, however, we felt in this instance that the Crown and Anchor did not have a long-term sustainable future and therefore we took the decision to put the pub up for sale.”

However, there is now light at the end of the tunnel for the beloved venue - and pub-goers will be glad to hear of the exciting news.